Connected Yet Distinct: The Evolution and Role of Korean Public Administration in Bridging Theory and Practice
研究韩国公共行政过去七十年在研究与教育、政府实践间的平衡发展，分析4447篇论文、大学课程及政府项目，揭示其与西方行政学相连却独特的特征，对关注比较行政与治理的学者有参考价值。
ABSTRACT Over the past seven decades, South Korea has developed a distinctive trajectory in its public administration (PA) through balancing the domains of research, education, and engagement with government. Our analysis shows that it embodies a connected yet distinct character, closely linked to Western administrative science and global PA scholarship, yet continually reshaped by Korea's bureaucratic culture, Confucian legacies, and pragmatic governance needs. To map this evolution systematically, we examine the entire Korean PA ecosystem by (1) analyzing 4447 scholarly articles published in four leading domestic and international journals over the past two decades, (2) reviewing PA curricula across Korean universities, and (3) tracing government‐funded research projects and faculty appointments to senior public positions over the same period. The findings suggest that the strong institutional linkages between research, education, and government have enhanced Korea's administrative capacity and responsiveness, while also highlighting the need for greater intellectual independence and theoretical inquiry.